And she spent a couple of hours working on a senior paper on the Jane Austen novel “Pride and Prejudice” for her Advanced Placement English literature class.

The routine worked for Flatt. The girl who learned how to skate at the University Towne Centre rink was in fifth place after the short program with a personal-best 64.64 points — maybe not close enough to overtake leader Kim Yu-na of South Korea but certainly within striking distance of the medals podium entering the free skate tomorrow.

“I’m not surprised with how Rachael competed,” said her coach, Tom Zakrajsek. “I’m definitely impressed with her poise in her first Olympic Games. We had planned for this to be very competitive and for the top women in the world to be on their game.

“We’re glad to be in the mix.”

Only three skaters topped 70 points: the exquisite Kim with 78.50, a world record for a short program; Japan’s Mao Asada with 73.78 after landing the elusive triple axel; and Canada’s Joannie Rochette with 71.36, skating just two days after her mother died of an apparent heart attack.

Next came eight skaters bunched between 61 and 65, including Flatt in fifth and American Mirai Nagasu in sixth.

“In other competitions, I felt more pressure,” said Flatt, 17, who trains in Colorado Springs, Colo. “I came in here as an underdog. I was just having fun and savoring every moment because you never know if you’re going to get it again.”